The Villainess Lives Twice
chapter-154

Chapter 154

Proofreader: somnium

The atmosphere was still there.

The Emperor did not call him to a private space, but to his office. And then Chancellor Lin and Guards Captain Gayan had arrived before Lawrence.

Of course, Lawrence often went to the Emperor’s office as well. Here, he often met with other officials, watched the Emperor give brief orders, or consult with the Chancellor.

But it was the first in three weeks. It was also the first meeting after Miraila’s incident.

It wouldn’t be strange if it was a more private, paternal time.

But apparently it wasn’t like that now.

The Emperor didn’t even tell Lawrence, who was on his knees that he didn’t have to. Instead, he pressed on his forehead with his thumb and forefinger.

Gayan asked.

“Do you feel uncomfortable? Shall I call the doctor?”

“It’s okay. I’ll rest after I’m done.”

“Your Majesty’s health.”

“What’s the big deal with a little headache?”

Lawrence didn’t get up until the Emperor allowed.

The Emperor said in a stiff voice.

“Get up, Lawrence.”

“Yes.”

Lawrence stood up and politely stepped aside from the Emperor’s face.

He knew he was hated.

It was a situation where he couldn’t do anything in the last three weeks.

Cedric intervened and took the initiative.

Since Lawrence was Miraila’s son, from that point on, Lawrence could not intervene in the trial. If he wanted to intervene, it should have been much earlier. He should have done it around the time Artizea presented her mediation.

At that time, behind-the-scenes negotiations between the temple, the media that dictated by the words of Grand Duke Roygar, and the Emperor’s watchful government could influence the outcome of the trial.

But from the moment Cedric intervened, that was no longer possible. Because Cedric knelt before the citizens and promised a fair trial.

Citizens watched to see if the promise was kept or not, and they will be watching for a long time to come.

In the meantime, the exposure of Miraila’s son himself had no advantage whatsoever.

While Cedric’s popularity and fame skyrocketed, Lawrence couldn’t help but be angry at the thought of how he had been locked up in a mansion.

Even more tantrums erupted when officials and military figures who had supported him turned to Cedric like flipping palms.

But for the time being he intended to bow down and be quiet.

Because he knew the Emperor was feeling sad.

“What have you been doing?”

the Emperor asked.

“I quietly reflected on myself at home.”

“Have you ever met your sister?”

“I only sent consolation and congratulatory gifts. The visit was refused by the butler. They said she was uncomfortable showing her face to her brother when she is sick and sensitive.”

“If you were a friendly older brother, how would she feel uncomfortable?”

The Emperor clicked his tongue.

Lawrence was dumbfounded that the first story they talked about when they met was about Artizea.

Recently, the Emperor had a little favor for Artizea. However, she stood in the position of being a useful noble who could be used to any extent.

The Emperor could not openly talk about Miraila, so he compared him to Artizea and criticized him.

But Lawrence didn’t realize it.

He did not clearly distinguish himself from his family. His mother and younger sister were always there only for himself.

He knew that even for them they had separate lives and feelings.

However, he only knew that when thinking rationally about it. When talking like this, he lived moment by moment and did not fully realize the situation.

So even now, at the words of the Emperor, his heart boiled.

The Emperor must have known that Lawrence was not on very good terms with Cedric.

Even if Artizea was pregnant, he felt nothing. Rather, he was upset that Cedric had an heir.

He couldn’t tell himself why very well.

However, the unknown hatred that had arisen after the fight with Cedric that day, grew deeper and deeper as time passed.

It felt as if it was the reason they haven’t been able to be close with each other since he was young.

Lawrence didn’t respond and just bowed his head as he pressed it down.

“Tsk.”

The Emperor clicked his tongue once more to make it sound blatant.

Clearly, Gayan was apologetic.

“I intend to appoint Cedric as the Secretary of State this time.”

“What?”

Lawrence raised his head in surprise.

The Emperor looked at him with displeasure.

“He should be rewarded anyway. He dispersed the protesters without clashes, and the problems caused by the temple were also safely solved.”

“Is that a reason for a reward? Rather than overwhelm the protesters, relying on His Majesty’s dignity, he merely made a flattering vain promise and dismissed them.”

“I’m sorry that I couldn’t protect your mother until the end.”

said the Emperor. His expression had softened considerably.

Lawrence lowered his head to hide his expression.

It wasn’t that Miraila was resenting or hurted by the Emperor.

But he couldn’t understand. Why did the Emperor appear to be yielding to the protesters at all cost?

It was through Cedric, but in the end the Emperor was behind it.

Cedric even went out on behalf of the Emperor and knelt before the protesters.

Isn’t this just incompetent?

If it had been Lawrence himself, he would have released the guards and dealt with the protesters who dared to gather in front of the Chancellor and violate the Emperor’s authority.

If he caught some of the ringleaders and drove them like rabbits, they would have disbanded quickly.

The Emperor let out a short sigh.

“There is a thing called a flow in the world, Lawrence. The people are stupid and weak, but it is not easy to change the flow even more.”

“…….”

“Aren’t you going to cause a bloodstorm over something like this?”

“Yes.”

“It’s not that it can’t be done. But there are times when you should and times when you should not. Moreover, it is difficult to find a minister who has the ability and the will to bow his head and take on the responsibilities instead.”

“Yes.”

Despite the obedient answer, Lawrence protested in his heart.

The Emperor would know what Cedric had done to him. And then he will say:

They were already on too bad terms to reconcile. They could not tolerate each other from the beginning. Even if Artizea was stuck in the middle, it was the same.

The Emperor spoke without knowing how Lawrence felt.

“This is for you too, Lawrence.”

“…….”

“You are not qualified. Not to mention Cedric is also no better than Roygar.”

“…… .”

“Your Majesty…….”

Gayan intervened cautiously. He was afraid that the Emperor’s words would hurt Lawrence’s temper.

But the Emperor spoke without hesitation. For he was at most afraid of hurting his son’s heart, and he didn’t feel the need to wrap it up and say it with good words.

“But you are my son.”

“…… Yes.”

“You are the child that I cherish the most, and you are the son whom I have decided to pass on the most important thing.”

“Yes……. I know you well, Father.”

“I will appoint you as Secretary of State at the same time as Cedric.”

“What?”

“Of course, in order, Cedric comes first. Cedric will be the 1st Secretary of State, and you will be the 2nd Secretary of State.”

Lawrence raised his head in surprise.

As if it had already been discussed, Gayan and Lin remained silent, without changing their expressions.

In fact, it was difficult even as an Emperor to just give Lawrence, who had no achievements or titles, the post of Secretary of State.

That’s why Cedric was appointed first Secretary of State.

There was also clearly an aspect of rewarding Cedric and giving him a position to draw him into the central bureaucracy.

But more than that, it was also for Lawrence.

If they were appointed at the same time, the relative importance of the position would be diminished and the fact that two cousins were appointed side by side would become significant.

“And I am going to send you as an ambassador to the South.”

“Yes.”

Lawrence took a deep breath.

The Emperor continued.

“Here, Gayan will go with you. We will subdue the pirates and deal with the smuggling problem in the South these days.”

He said, ‘we will’, not ‘you will’ because it wasn’t Lawrence who would actually do it.

The Emperor did not believe that Lawrence could build such an army.

For that reason, he planned to send several capable servants, including Gayan, along with him.

All they have to do is build a feat and wrap it up as Lawrence’s.

Then, when Miraila’s case is forgotten, he will return with a splendid triumphal ceremony.

If Lawrence gains fame and then becomes Crown Prince in the name of bureaucrats and aristocrats, he will be able to supplement his legitimacy, although incomplete.

“In the meantime, Cedric will certainly be clinging onto the capital. Do you understand what I mean?”

“Yes.”

Lawrence looked at the Emperor with a shocked expression.

The Emperor sighed once more and motioned for Lawrence to come closer.

Lawrence walked over to him. And he politely knelt to his knees and kissed the hem of the Emperor’s robe.

The Emperor lightly stroked his hair. And he said in a soft voice.

“You have to do well. If you do well, your mother will also live.”

“Yes.”

“This is the greatest and last chance I can give you.”

said the Emperor.

“I know,” Lawrence replied.

Looking at the scene, Gayan and Lin met each other’s gaze.

Lin shook his head slightly. It was an attitude of resignation.

Gayan looked at it and sighed only inwardly.

It was Gayan himself who took on the most troublesome problem right now.

The South has a deep-rooted problem. The thought of carrying Lawrence and thinking that he would take care of that difficult situation gave him a headache.

More than anything else, he was dizzy with whom he was lining up.

His heart was leaning towards Cedric.

However, he had a different position than Amalie.

The Emperor demands a higher level of loyalty from the Guard Knights. It is okay to be involved in the struggle for succession, but he had to do it while considering the will of the Emperor.

It was the first time the Emperor had shown such a strong intention to support Lawrence.

Then he should have followed the Emperor.

Yet, the Emperor is correct and powerful.

Nevertheless, Gayan had a complicated mind.

Because he didn’t think that even if Lawrence is rightfully credited with all these achievements now, he would recognize Lawrence after he sat on the throne.